LBS vs discount prices

[tctrek]

+1 on supporting your local bike shop. We go in our LBS and it's like visiting family. I know I can trust their advice and even if I don't buy anything, they know I'll be back. It's a win-win.

[Kiwi Stoker]

If I can buy locally I will.

However because NZ doesn't stock everything if there's something I need/want I cannot get here I buy it online. For example 700c 28 tyres for our tandem. Cycle clothing that's not just boring plain colours etc.

I totally understand that the market here and Australia is too small to have everything, so sadly the LBS will miss out.

[Crankin]

I have never felt like I was visiting family at any LBS I have bought bikes at. And while it IS better to support local shops, they just charge outrageous prices. Is supporting the extremely wealthy owner of the LBS where I bought my bike any better than supporting a wealthy owner in another city or state? This guy is loved by many, but disliked by just as large of a contingent. One of my physicians keeps going in there to look at bikes, and he is constantly being shown bikes that cost 10-15K, just because he is a doctor. He stopped looking. I have not experienced any of the special treatment I've read about here at any shop, large, small, family owned, or part of a local chain. Frankly, I am glad I don't have to deal with it, the same way I am glad I don't shop at department stores anymore and deal with them.

[tulip]

How did they know he was a doctor? Did he go in with a lab coat or something? Or do they ask you what your profession is?

I don't buy much stuff. Once a year I buy about 6 tubes for my Bike Friday from the company in Oregon because you can't get those tubes locally. I bought one jersey from TE this year, and it was one of the contest ones. But I don't buy other stuff. I don't need it.

Eventually I'll have to take my bikes in for some more serious maintenance than I do on my own, and that will be to a local shop. But none of them know me and they certainly don't know what I do. As if being a city planner would make an impression on anyone! (except for crazycanuck, of course)

[bluejellybean]

I fully support my LBS, I love the service and extra care, and shopping locally...however....when I can get something for a great discount, something unique that I can't get elsewhere, or anything he can't get in, it's online all the way...that being said, does anyone have any great websites you can share for gear, equipment, clothing, parts...

[blackhillsbiker]

My LBS doesn't sell clothing, except for some gloves, so I do shop online for some things: sierratradingpost.com, the outlet at rei.com, 6pm.com (I just found this one), the bargain cave at cabelas.com and campmor.com for basic outdoor gear – these are my favorites.

Deb

[KnottedYet]

I buy a lot of stuff right here at teamestrogen.com

(thank you, Susan!)

Great customer service! You can call and ask them to measure an item for you (like my favorite: will it fit my huge butt?) and the returns are easy easy easy to handle. I've never had a bad experience.

[Cataboo]

Meh. I bought a bike once at a LBS paying retail - it didn't fit - but was told it did. Basically they had very few models for short people, I think. On craigslist or ebay, I can buy bikes cheaper and whether or not they fit is purely my own responsibility and I can't blame anyone else. I prefer cheaper bikes.

I can't say I've found any of my local bike shops overly knowledgable or useful or helpful. I like one slightly more than the other, so I do go there occasionally when I need something like a chain or rim tape - something that it doesn't make sense for me to pay the shipping on. If I am going to have to pay full price - I will go to my local bike shop and pay it there. If I'm going to only save $5-10 from buying online, then no, I'm not going to bother buying online. If I can get 50% off... then yeah, I am buying it online. Quite often I buy from small sellers on ebay - and yes, they are someone's local bike shop somewhere. They may not be my local bike shop, but they are a local bike shop.

I don't particularly feel any loyalty or like there's some great knowledge source I'm getting from either of my local bike shops.

[Crankin]

Tulip, given that the shop is in Concord and you know the peculiarities of New England small towns, the fact that he is a doctor at the local hospital up the street probably just comes up in conversation. This is the shop where I had an experience very much like Catriona's. I bought a bike that really did not fit me and they tried to convince me otherwise. When I researched and came armed with information, they got a little nervous because i constantly kept coming back, alone, with my DH, and once with my exchange student son who was a pro at the time... they realized that every time I was in the shop I knew someone else in there; not only people from Concord and the 2 other surrounding towns that I lived in, but I actually knew a lot of the local racers from when my son raced in high school. So, they were "happy" to exhange my frame for one that fit, but I had to do the research for the narrow, short/shallow bars, R700 shifters and tell them to put them on my new frame (and I paid for those). I am happy with my bike now, but the process took two years!
The last time I was in there, the owner noticed me talking to yet another racer I knew, and my DH leaned over and said to him, "You know, she knows everyone in Concord, Acton, and Boxborough, so...."

[Zen]

I don't particularly feel any loyalty or like there's some great knowledge source I'm getting from either of my local bike shops.

oh yeah? What about the time you need a bolt for your crank and Brian knew exactly what it was and gave it to you for free? Huh? Huh?

[shootingstar]

Good question.

I haven't ordered any material goods online..at all. For now, I'm not motivated to order anything online from a biz outside of Canada. For cycling, there's great apparel at TE and direct from the U.S. manufacturers, but my hankering is not so great that I would be willing to take the risk of customs brokerage fees...for anything I buy cycling or non-cycling oriented stuff. It's not a big deal ..we're running out of home physical space to even buy alot more of anything to store it somewhere in an accessible place.

So LBS is for bike gear/accessories, repairs and if I'm lucky cycling clothing at a reasonable price which is a pain for smaller women. I have found more luck from a chain Canadian-sporting goods shop (MEC) for this. I don't mind paying abit of markup since it is a supporting a Canadian biz nationally.

When we visit the U.S., I do go to local shops and if there is a bike show, will go there to look for cycling apparel, preferably at a discount that I can't get locally. So for me to buy from TE, I'll just have to wait next time..to get into Oregon or thereabouts and figure something out.

So yea, I ordered a new Marathon plus tire from my LBS a few days ago. No urgency but I need it within the next few months.

[arielmoon]

I love my LBS and support them as much as possible. I tend to get my clothing items from other places since their selection is very limited. I got my Giro helmet on amazon cause I saved about $50 and got the color I wanted. Everything else comes from the LBS. It is like a big family there and they are very good to me. The mechanics are my friends and I cant think of better friends to have!

[leithh]

I have never felt like I was visiting family at any LBS I have bought bikes at. And while it IS better to support local shops, they just charge outrageous prices. Is supporting the extremely wealthy owner of the LBS where I bought my bike any better than supporting a wealthy owner in another city or state? This guy is loved by many, but disliked by just as large of a contingent. One of my physicians keeps going in there to look at bikes, and he is constantly being shown bikes that cost 10-15K, just because he is a doctor. He stopped looking. I have not experienced any of the special treatment I've read about here at any shop, large, small, family owned, or part of a local chain. Frankly, I am glad I don't have to deal with it, the same way I am glad I don't shop at department stores anymore and deal with them.

My cousin lives in your fair city, Crankin, and I was visiting this past weekend. We drove by a bike shop that, from her description, MUST be your LBS...

[Running Mommy]

Ok, I just have to weigh in here. Hopefully those of you reading this realize that what I am about to write is from life as *I* see it. I'm not nor have I ever (imo) tried to sway people one way or the other... So hopefully I will not get a mailbox full of hate.
Here we go...

I honestly think that there is a place for both Internet shopping sites, and the brick and mortar store. But there is a line there that some people cross, and that's when the lbs folks get cranky.

First the internet. Ok, Susan has brought more to the market for those of us on the plus size that you even know. I have had two different clothing companies, and a wetsuit company tell me that SUSAN O from TE was the reason that they developed their plus size line. Or that she gave them advice. IMO that is huge! Not only is she a savvy biz owner, but she is helping us "adipose tissue" challenged athletes.
And because she has a bit less overhead (I would imagine??) she is able to bring in a lot more inventory than a typical shop ever could. I send women to TE all the time, because I would rather have my inventory dollars go to hardgoods rather than a jersey that may or may not sell.
Also, I may own a bike shop, but I have to watch my pennies. So when you can get Easton bars for less online than I can buy them at wholesale, I'm not going to beat you up for it! In fact I may suggest it to you. There's a group of items out there that you can just find cheaper online, and I understand that and don't mind helping you save a few dollars.
And this is where the BUT comes in....
(and the caveat here is that your lbs is owned by and employs nice people. If they are jerks then all bets are off)

If you do not have a history with the shop. Do not call them and announce straight away "I bought xxxxx on ebay, and I'm trying to install it. Do you have a mechanic that can tell me how.
- My mechanics are certified, and it takes a few thousand dollars to do that. So their expertise is not free. And I pay them by the hour whether they are working on a customers bike or chatting on the phone.

When looking for new components, at least give yourt lbs a chance to earn your business. We try to price match the internet as much as possible, or at least come in the ballpark.
Also personally I will tell you if I know it can be had for less than I pay for it. I may also warn you that the ones you see online are a previous years model with known flaws, or things we see in the shop a lot. A particular crankset comes to mind.

Realize that your local bike shop is keeping at least their family fed, and if they have employees, then there are even more folks you are supporting by giving them your business. And as for the rich absentee owners?? Wow. I've never really run into that in all of the owners I have met the last couple of years. Most are just like me, driving an old used car, and barely paying bills. Poor in the pocketbook, but rich in lifestyle and satisfaction. It is very very tough out there right now. Even the shops that have been around for decades are feeling the pinch. I've talked to more than a few who relied on a yearly bank loan to pay things off and get through the off season. But banks aren't lending as much, and credit lines are being cut. It is not easy even for the vets. So imagine how a rank newbie like me is feeling right now... ugh

Experience. Don't discount the fact that your lbs may have a knowledge in certain areas that could really help you. You can read reviews online all day about xxxx. But if the bike shop see's xxxx in all the time for repair or warranty issues, then they will give you the heads up when you ask their advice. Also if you are changing your drivetrain they may know little things that can help you or hurt you in your choices. Esp. if you are mixing old and new.

But again, there can be a happy balance. I guess I'm basically saying if you have an lbs that is worthy of your business- throw them a bone every once in awhile.
And not all online retailers are huge corporate conglomerates either. TE is the first that comes to mind, as does Trisports. There are more than a few that are a lot like a typical small biz owner, employing folks and helping out in their community. So why not support them as well??

Oh yes, and don't forget the community aspect. I spend a ton of time volunterring my services to schools, prodding the city managers to improve the roads and complete bike lanes, and donating to charities. So if you are civic minded, you may want to take that into account.

Ok to close, as I said in the beginning. Not all bike shops are run like I run my business. In fact that is the REASON I opened a shop in the first place. So if the owner/employees are rude, unhelpful, surly etc. don't give them your business. But I would think that problem would solve itself.
And if the owner seems nice, but the employees leave something to be desired, talk to the owner. I recently had a complaint about my manager for things he did when I was not there. It was delt with swiftly.

But as said, I think we can both exist peacefully.

[Cataboo]

Runningmommy, I think most of us would love to have a shop like yours near us.